hey everyone. I am just starting to learn how to play a guitar, and I need a ton of help :/ I am looking to teach myself but I dont know where to start.

Should I start by memorizing all the notes? For my first song I want to learn "Slow dancing in a burning room" by john mayer. I dont know much of anything about playing guitar and Im looking for some experienced help.

Any advice is helpful!

Thanks guys!

your best bet would be to get a teacher but w/e

i recommend you first learn your basic open chords before tacklin john mayer lulz
ex. C,D,E,F,G,A, and all the open minor ones

if you serious about the geetar, i really suggest you get a teacher.

Yeah, a teacher is essential for any instrument.

Disagree, but it's certainly a helpful thing to have. I think it just helps motivate you more.

I also think you should learn Animals - House Of The Rising Sun first. It uses like 6 chords that you'll use forever

Same here.

Ironically though, I got a lot more motivated after I stopped taking lessons.

This post was edited by PSPZorZ on Jan 29 2011 04:11am

Took me about a year to get re-motivated after my guitar teacher left the school.

I tought myself.. its possible tho I think its faster with a teacher... starting off with john mayer is prolly not the best idea Start with the basics... same goes for whatever you want to learn...

Thanks for the help guys it helps a ton

Look for youtube clips of people giving "How to play" of your favorite songs.

They tell you the chords and show you the strumming pattern.

After awhile of learning some of these songs you kind of get the hang of it on your own.